Mr. Jack has a farm
E-I-E-I-O
and on his farm
he has lots of trees
E-I-E-I-O.FruitTrees here,
Blueberries there,
and Cypress Trees
everywhere
E-I-E-I-O
and on his farm
he has lots of fun
E-I-E-I-O

Growing & Maintenance Tips For Persimmon Trees

SpotPicking the spot for any tree is essential. Persimmon trees perform best in full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade. The soil should be well drained and loamy. As with most fruit trees, the pH should be between 6 and 6.5. If planted in a different pH level, the fruiting will suffer.

PlantingBegin digging a hole, until it has a diameter that is twice that of the root system. The depth of the hole should be about a foot deeper than the root system. Once the hole is completed, place the rootstock inside the hole. Make sure the tree is no more than an inch from the depth it was planted at the farm. After the plant is in the right placement, begin filling the hole with soil. It is recommended that you add compost or other such amendments at this stage. While filling the hole back up, apply water and pack the soil. This helps remove any air pockets. After planting is complete add a thick 3 inch layer of mulch around the plant. The mulch will help defend against weeds and grass that might affect the plants growth. Follow a regular watering schedule throughout the first season. The roots for persimmon trees grow slowly. The watering will help establish an extensive root system. Use a nitrogen fertilizer annually.

PruningPruning should be done every 1 to 2 years. Remove any damaged or diseased branches. Also remove any rapidly growing upright branches that clog up the center of the tree. Persimmon trees that are pruned correctly will be able to bear a heavier crop load.Harvesting & StoringPersimmons should not be picked until the fruit’s full color has been attained. Once the fruit is ripe use caution when picking, persimmons are easily bruised. Once picked and washed the fruit can be eaten. However some persimmons will be astringent (taste sour) for a few days. To get the sweetest taste out of the astringent varieties, it is recommended that you wait a few days for the fruit to soften. There a few easy ways you can speed up the waiting process. You can freeze the persimmon for a day and then thaw it out. Another way is by placing the fruit in a loosely closed Ziploc bag with an apple or banana. Apples and bananas produce ethylene gas. The gas will help the persimmons ripen and soften. The last way is to place the fruit in a sealed bucket with dry ice. After a day the astringency should be gone, but the fruit will not soften. Persimmons can be stored in a refrigerator for several weeks or they can be frozen for a longer periods of time